Enhanced 3-D seismic structure for Southwest Australia. The ancient cratonic lithosphere of Southwest Australia appears to have a distinct contrast in geophysical properties and complex geologic structure, while having some of the highest levels of earthquakes on the continent. The project aims to produce novel 3-D models of this region that combine new seismic data collected over two years with previously collected geophysical datasets from the partner investigators. A compilation of 3-D models ....Enhanced 3-D seismic structure for Southwest Australia. The ancient cratonic lithosphere of Southwest Australia appears to have a distinct contrast in geophysical properties and complex geologic structure, while having some of the highest levels of earthquakes on the continent. The project aims to produce novel 3-D models of this region that combine new seismic data collected over two years with previously collected geophysical datasets from the partner investigators. A compilation of 3-D models will subsequently be developed, to form an effective characterisation of the geologic structure of the craton and its margins. These models will provide enhanced assessment of seismic ground shaking from regional earthquakes and facilitate an improved understanding of mineral resource potential. Read moreRead less
Development of nanostructured sensors for ultra-sensitive, label-free and selective detection of biological and chemical species. Outcomes will significantly advance the technical and fundamental understanding of sensor assembly and provide guidelines for developing and manufacturing nanostructured sensors, which is critical for next generation nanoscale sensing platforms for health care, medical diagnostics and chemical detection and Australia's emerging sensor industries.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170101524
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
Past and future dynamics in coastal ecosystems. This project aims to understand how humans and nature affect coastal ecosystems. Globally, billions of dollars are spent on understanding ecosystem services and responses to human and natural pressures, but contemporary datasets’ short time-span makes them inadequate, since ecosystems change at multiple spatial and temporal scales. This project will use seagrass archives to reconstruct the history of coastal ecosystems over millennia, identifying b ....Past and future dynamics in coastal ecosystems. This project aims to understand how humans and nature affect coastal ecosystems. Globally, billions of dollars are spent on understanding ecosystem services and responses to human and natural pressures, but contemporary datasets’ short time-span makes them inadequate, since ecosystems change at multiple spatial and temporal scales. This project will use seagrass archives to reconstruct the history of coastal ecosystems over millennia, identifying baseline conditions, the time-course of ecological change, cycles and thresholds of ecosystem dynamics driven by human and natural forces, and determining their role as biogeochemical sinks. Intended outcomes are to manage ecological change and remove constraints on sustainable coastal development.Read moreRead less
When science meets art: an environmental portrait of the Shoalhaven River Valley. This project will involve a collaboration between art and science to create an environmental and cultural portrait of the Shoalhaven River Valley. Environmental readings of river and land quality will be converted into a visual and audio display for both on-site and off-site visitors.
Advances in real-time satellite monitoring of flow in rivers and estuaries. This project plans to improve the monitoring of our waterways by developing a novel moving drifter system that takes flow and water quality measurements along the pathlines of the drifters. One of the key challenges for Australian water management lies in monitoring and managing rivers and estuaries effectively over large geographical areas. Traditionally, instrumentation at stationary points has been used for such monit ....Advances in real-time satellite monitoring of flow in rivers and estuaries. This project plans to improve the monitoring of our waterways by developing a novel moving drifter system that takes flow and water quality measurements along the pathlines of the drifters. One of the key challenges for Australian water management lies in monitoring and managing rivers and estuaries effectively over large geographical areas. Traditionally, instrumentation at stationary points has been used for such monitoring, under the simplifying assumption that a single point adequately represents a very large region of water. By contrast, the Real-Time Flow Logging of Water (RT-FLOW) system expects to provide information from large regions of our waterways, providing stakeholders with more information to enable them to better manage issues including storm surge and erosion. The project also aims to provide improved validation of hydrodynamic models.Read moreRead less
Understanding pollutant transport in estuaries and coastal rivers. By advancing pollutant transport modelling that use recent developments in drift sensors, this project aims to investigate water quality of estuaries and coastal rivers under pressure from urban growth. The project expects to generate a new capability for quantitative particle concentration predictions through detection and innovative analysis of Lagrangian Coherent Structures. The expected outcome is a new particle transport mod ....Understanding pollutant transport in estuaries and coastal rivers. By advancing pollutant transport modelling that use recent developments in drift sensors, this project aims to investigate water quality of estuaries and coastal rivers under pressure from urban growth. The project expects to generate a new capability for quantitative particle concentration predictions through detection and innovative analysis of Lagrangian Coherent Structures. The expected outcome is a new particle transport modelling framework and algorithms for shallow water systems, which effectively exploit extensive datasets becoming available from GPS-enabled drifters. This should provide significant benefits such as reliable assessment of possible effects of catchment and waterway changes on pollutant and sediment concentration which can impact waterway health.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180101518
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$364,200.00
Summary
Aquifers as climate logs: untangling replenishment mechanisms. This project aims to develop methods that use environmental tracers to provide detailed information about groundwater ages and relate the age structure of groundwater systems to past climatic conditions. The impacts of climate change on groundwater resources is an important question in hydrogeological studies. The age of groundwater within an aquifer represents a detailed log of past recharge events. The project will generate methods ....Aquifers as climate logs: untangling replenishment mechanisms. This project aims to develop methods that use environmental tracers to provide detailed information about groundwater ages and relate the age structure of groundwater systems to past climatic conditions. The impacts of climate change on groundwater resources is an important question in hydrogeological studies. The age of groundwater within an aquifer represents a detailed log of past recharge events. The project will generate methods for assessing the past history of groundwater resources, and provide insight into the viability of groundwater in the future. This will improve understanding of how groundwater resources will behave under a changing climate.Read moreRead less
Direct reduction of mixed oxides at lower temperatures: a novel approach to produce lightweight ferrous alloys. This project will develop a novel approach to directly produce aluminium based ferrous alloys at temperatures 550C-950C lower than conventional processes. The simultaneous reduction of mixed oxides will lower the energy requirements for producing ferroalloys, enhance cost effectiveness and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Assessing risk of oligomictic conditions in sub-tropical water supply lakes. Assessing risk of oligomictic conditions in sub-tropical water supply lakes. This project aims to assess the risk of low rates of mixing in sub-tropical drinking water supply reservoirs, using environmental monitoring and numerical modelling. Emerging evidence suggests sub-tropical drinking water supply reservoirs could transition to low mixing states with increasing age and projected changes in global climate. While th ....Assessing risk of oligomictic conditions in sub-tropical water supply lakes. Assessing risk of oligomictic conditions in sub-tropical water supply lakes. This project aims to assess the risk of low rates of mixing in sub-tropical drinking water supply reservoirs, using environmental monitoring and numerical modelling. Emerging evidence suggests sub-tropical drinking water supply reservoirs could transition to low mixing states with increasing age and projected changes in global climate. While this risk is poorly understood, it could significantly affect the long-term reliability of water supply and potable water treatment costs. Addressing this knowledge gap is expected to develop effective management responses to ensure the long term sustainable use of these water resources.Read moreRead less
Three-dimensional Bayesian Modelling of Geological and Geophysical data. The project aims to develop technologies enabling rapid informed decision-making related to the management of natural resources, including critical metals, copper and water. This new technology will support a greener future, securing our energy future, our access to clean water and reduce the mining footprint. Expected outcomes include an enhanced capability in interoperable, integrated three-dimensional geological and geop ....Three-dimensional Bayesian Modelling of Geological and Geophysical data. The project aims to develop technologies enabling rapid informed decision-making related to the management of natural resources, including critical metals, copper and water. This new technology will support a greener future, securing our energy future, our access to clean water and reduce the mining footprint. Expected outcomes include an enhanced capability in interoperable, integrated three-dimensional geological and geophysical modelling in order to predictively characterise sub-surface geology. The outcome will be an open-source forecasting dashboard enabling decision making while considering underlying risk related to resource extractions and management with significant benefits to the Australian society (lower emissions, clean water).Read moreRead less